California man missing near summit of Mount Shasta as storm sets in; climbing partner rescued

Calif. man missing on Mount Shasta, friend rescued

MOUNT SHASTA, Calif. — A California man has been rescued from Mount Shasta, but his climbing partner remains missing and is believed to be trapped near the summit.

Mark Thomas called 911 Sunday to say he and his friend were near the top of the 14,000-foot mountain and needed help.

The 26-year-old told authorities his friend was disoriented and appeared to have altitude sickness.

Susan Gravenkamp, a spokeswoman for the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Department, says Thomas left 26-year-old Thomas Bennett and walked down the mountain for help.

Two U.S. Forest Service rangers on snowmobiles saw footprints and found Thomas about 4 p.m. Monday.

Gravenkamp says high winds and storm conditions are prohibiting rescuers from reaching the top of the mountain.